Apparatus for forming metal channels and tubes



Oct. 4, 1955 R. E. BEEGLE 2,719,562

APPARATUS FOR FORMING METAL CHANNELS AND TUBES Filed July 15, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. FIG. 3. RAYMOND E. BEEGLE Oct. 4, 1955 R. E. BEEGLE APPARATUS FOR FORMING METAL CHANNELS AND TUBES Filed July 15, 1950 FIG.

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INVENTOR. YAYMOND E. BEEGLE United States Patent 2,719,562 APPARATUS FOR FORMING METAL CHANNELS AND TUBES Raymond E. Beegle, East St. Louis, Ill. Application July 15, 1950, Serial No. 174,010 12 Claims. (Cl. 153-54) This invention relates to improvements in formation of metal channels and tubes, and more particularly to an improved method of forming flat sheet stock into elements of a trough-like or channel form such that, optionally, same may be joined along longitudinal margins to form thereof elements of tubular stock. The present developments further importantly include production equipment for the purposes aforesaid, and in a broad sense, further include certain batched channel elements resulting from use of the improved equipment, pursuant to the method herein to be described.

It has long been known to form open channel elements of lengths of fiat sheet steel, by passing the blanks thereof through a plurality, usually at least three, of the conventional metal forming rolls. Such older processes are time-consuming, hence expensive, and are subject to many operative shortcomings. It is accordingly a principal objective of the present improvements to reduce the time of formation per unit or batch of channelformed sheet metal articles, and to realize a uniformity of product with a minimum of abrasion or deformation of the formed sheet metal articles, one example of which is an open trough-like conduit, such as lengths of caves trough formed of galvanized sheet steel, sheet copper and the like.

The present invention may be summarized by reference to the presently disclosed example which includes a relatively incompressible forming roll, operating in adjacence to a relatively highly compressible traveling band. This latter may consist either of a separate endless belt of high compressive resilience, or of a compressible sheath on a companion roll; in either case, the hard roll operates in a compressively indenting relation to the relatively softer stock of the traveling band. A single such band may serve a plurality of the hard rolls. Whether one or more such rolls are utilized, the relation between the hard roll and the soft traveling band is that of continuously moving male and female forming dies, in which assembly, by varying the pressure of the hard roll on the soft band, a wide latitude of size of the formed articles is possible. In the case of channels of approximately arcuate section, this variation exists in the radii or diameter of the finished sections, for example, utilizing a 2" diameter hard forming roll, a latitude of sectional curvature of the formed sheet article, is usefully attainable between limits of the order of 2%" and in diameter.

A continuously moving feed belt or equivalent is utilized to transport flat sheet metal blanks or strip to a position wherein the stock is picked up and formed by the band and roll or rolls while continuously moving therethrough. The formed channel elements are by preference, but not necessarily retained, pending accumulation of a predetermined number or batch thereof about the periphery of one of the rolls, and upon completion of the predetermined batch, (which number is subject to variation) automatic stripping equipment serves to remove the formed batch of channel units axially from the roll about which they are tentatively stored in nested relation. This closely nested batch of units may then be stored or shipped to a situs of final distribution with substantial saving in transportation and storage costs, and with a minimized hazard of deformation, due to the much increased rigidity of the nested batch of units in comparison with a single such unit, parice ticularly when the channels are formed of light gauge material.

In order to realize maximum output of the forming equipment, and as disclosed herein, provision is made for automatic cessation of feed of the flat stock to the forming members during the short time required for unloading or stripping of the batch of formed units, as well as automatic resumption of forming following the clearing of the formed elements from the region of the shaping zone.

A further and important objective of the improvements, as will appear from the foregoing summary, consists in novel facilities for production of channel elements of a wide range of sectional areas and shapes by the use of the same plurality of male and female forming members.

Yet another valuable object of the improvements is realized in a combination of continuously operating mechanism for the feeding of flat stock, with a continuously and unidirectionally operating pair or more of forming elements, optionally operatively coupled with the aforesaid automatic unloading or stripping means.

Many mechanical improvements of a nature adjunctive to the principal improvements aforesaid, include an im proved type of compressible female forming member or die, in the nature of an endless compressible band; improved means for automatic capture and automatic nesting of the formed channel elements, pending accumulation of the desired plurality or batch thereof; improved stripping or unloading means as such, applicable for the axial removal of formed channel or tube elements, and improved automatic control means for the several agencies aforesaid.

The foregoing and numerous other objects will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of certain presently preferred embodiments, particularly when same are considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a feeding, forming and stripping assembly suitable for shaping flat metal into a plurality of units of variable sizes and channelled transverse section, as will be described;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view particularly of portions of the forming and unloading elements as taken in a vertical transverse plane, particularly identified by line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation, taken in a vertical plane through the sheet forming elements and showing portions of the feed belt and batch-unloading device, this figure being located by line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view in the nature of a vertical section, transverse to the axes of a pair of forming rolls, and showing a slightly modified arrangement for simultaneously forming two batches of the channel units;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of parts of the unloading or stripping mechanism, a portion of which is in the nature of a diagram to indicate an electro-mechanical control for automatic interruption and resumption of the sheet metal feed to the forming members;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of a chain utilized as one element of the unloader, and showing a motor-switching control flange carried by a portion of such chain, and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view taken in a plane transverse to the axes of a pair of coacting forming elements, with auxiliary supporting rolls, all in a somewhat modified arrangement particularly suitable for forming channel units of substantial length.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, and first to Fig. l, the provision for feeding a sequence of precut flat'rnetal blanks is'shown as consisting of an endless conveyor belt operating over belt rollers 11 and 12, together with a powered belt roller 13 driven atone end by a pulley 14, the latter shown belt-connected as through a single or multiple V-belt 15 to a feed drive motor 16, the latter provided with a drive pulley 17. The'feed belt proper and the rollers 11, 12 and 13 suitably journalled, are carried by a supporting frame consisting of structural metal members and 21 with'suitable vertical supports 22, best appearing in Fig. 2.

'As is the case in many sheet forming processes, it is desirable in the present instance to provide some agency to assure positive alignment of the blanks as same are deli'v'er'ed by the belt 10 to the region of the forming membe'rs later described. This provision in the present instance consists of a pair of parallel guide shoes 23 each provided with an outwardly flared directing and straightening portion 24. The members 23 are in the nature of flange pieces the lower margins of which lie close to the surface of the belt 10 just ahead of the forming zone, as will appear. The straightening shoes 23 are each sup ported by a plurality of spring pressed studs (not shown), each such stud and a light compression spring associated therewith, being contained in a tubular member 25 extending through a suitable apertured ear 26 carried by one of the upper frame members of the feed assembly. Adjusting nuts 27 are provided, one on each side of each ear 26 and threadedly engaging the adjacent tube 25. Four such adjusting assemblies are shown to enable a variation in the width setting of the shoes 23, so that such setting conforms closely to the width, or more accurately the length of the blanks, each of which is usually presented laterally to the forming zone, as will appear.

Proceeding now to a description of the male and female forming members, these consist, as before generally noted, of a relatively incompressible male forming member such as a roll or roller 30 (Fig. 4). This roll is carried by a relatively rigid shaft 31 which may be journalled' in fixed bearings outwardly beyond the ends of the roll. This roll is formed of a hard steel, and is of a rigid construction such as will enable the roll to be made without substantial deflection, to operate successfully in substantial lengths.

As will appear, the relatively hard or incompressible roll 30 functions as a continuously moving male forming die acting on the individual blanks indicated at B (Fig. 4). Coacting with the roll 30 is an orbitally moving, preferable endless band 32. This may consist of a sleeve of rubber or a rubber-like material of a relatively much more compressible nature than the metal of roll 30. The compressible sleeve 32 is carried by a rigid core 33 which in Fig. 4 may consist of a steel shaft over which the compressible surface portion or sleeve 32 is applied with the sleeve under a sufiicient tension about the core such as to cling firmly thereto. But for the advisability of replacement, although necessary only at wide intervals, the compressible rubber or similar stock 32 may be bonded to the metal of the core 33.

To enable an adjustment of pressure applied to the metal in the forming zone between the elements 30 and 32, there is provided means for quickly and selectively varying the distance between centers of the shaft 31) and the core or shaft 33. While such adjustment may be effected by hydraulic means, controlled either at the roll or remotely, suitable mechanical provision for this purpose consists in a crosshead type of guide at each end of the roll 3233, and consisting of a pair of parallel guides 34 between which is slidably operative for adjustment purposes, a journal proper 35. A slotted guideway 39 is provided to assure the correctness of alignment of the journal hence of the shaft or core 33 at all times. A certain adjustable loading pressure is applied to the female forming die or band 32, as by relatively heavy'coil springs 36, one being provided in connection with each such adjustable bearing, the manually operable adjusting nut 37 being surmounted by a jam nut 38 for purposes of controlling and maintaining the adjusted position of the compressible band 32 and the pressure thereagainst, hence the compressive indentationthereof, by the male forming die or roll 30.

As earlier briefly noted, it is desirable with the present assembly to store or retain tentatively the several formed female elements in a closely nested, batched relation as the individual channel units issue from the forming zone. As a tentative repository, magaizne or retention device, there is provided adjacent the converging region of the forming members, a feed guide plate 41) which, as best seen from Fig. 4, serves to support and guide the incoming blanks from the feed belt 10 to the region between elements 30 and 32. The member 40 is provided with a linear, acute angled abutment 40A the outer surface of which either rides upon or barely clears the surface of the roll 30. It will appear that the acute angled shoulder thus resulting, will constitute a stop for the first formed edge of each of the channels such as C, which edge is indicated at C"(Fig. 4). Secured as by welding to the under surface of the plate 40, is a fixed arcuate wall extending preferably substantially the full length of the roll 30, and which forms a partly tubular magazine for retention of the formed channels C. One section of the outer wall 41 is welded as at 42 to plate 49, thence extends about the roll 30 but is spaced somewhat from the periphery thereof. A second section 41A is fixedly supported as a continuation of the arc of member 41, being separated therefrom by a bottom slot 43 which extends the full length of the retainer magazine 4141A. The slot 43 serves to receive and guide a stripper element hereinafter described. As will later appear, the formed channels C are, upon formation, successively nested, each except the first, within a similar channel unit, until completion of the total number to constitute the batch.

Assuming the formation of a nested plurality, for example ten or so of the formed channels C, these will repose in the magazine 41'41A until stripped or otherwise unloaded or removed therefrom. A suitable agency for unloading the magazine, consists of a chain and sprocket assembly, the end sprockets of which, indicated at 45 and 46 (Fig. 3) serve to support and actuate a chain 47, at least one of the links of such chain being provided with a rigid, upstanding projectionsuch as arm or finger 48 (see Figs. 3 and 4). Actuation'of the chain 47 is effected through a drive shaft 50 powered at a reduced rate as through a reduction gear unit RGU, power being applied to this reducer through a pulley 51 actuating a power input shaft :52. The pulley 51 may be powered through a belt or chain 53 riding over a pulley or sprocket 54 powered. by a motor 55 which latter, through a belt or chain 56, serves to actuate one or both of the paired coacting'forming members such as 30 and 32-33. To the shaft of one such member is affixed a driven pultey or sprocket 57 and the forming members such as 32 and 30 driven in assured timed relation irrespective of variation in spacing of their axes, through the provision of pinions 60 and 61 (see Fig. 2). Thus when the motor 55 is operating, the forming elements will be continuously operated and the stripper chain 47 likewise continuously operated but at a low rate. It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the unusually long pinion teeth, and their design, are such as to assure positive operative connection of the forming members irrespective of the adjustment of their axis spacing.

With reference to Fig. 6, there is seen a suitable and simplified provision for interrupting the feed of sheet metal or blanks to the forming members, during the stripping of the formed channels from the magazine 41-41A, and likewise assuring the resumption of such feed, upon completion of the stripping or unloading operation. In Figs. 6 and 7 it"will be seen that a substantial number of the individual links indicated at 62, are provided through attachment ears 63 with sectional upstanding flanges 64. The attachment of theflange sections 64 to the selected portion of the chain 47 is effected by extension of the chain pivot pins through the apertured ears, the pins being headed over to retain the flange sections. Such flanges may be, if desired, of a resilient stock such as rubber or the like, or may if desired, .consist of small metal sections. They are attached as will appear from Fig. 6, to only a portion of the length of the chain 47, and in such relation that when the finger 48 is about to enter the slot 43 for the purpose of axially stripping the batch of channels C from the magazine, a foremost one of the flange sections 64 will abut, as a cam, a follower roller 65 carried by a switch arm 66 which constitutes the actuating element of a switch 67. Switch 67 is in one leg of the circuit (not shown) through which is energized the motor 16 powering the feed belt 10. The impingement of the cam or flange formed of the sections 64 against roller 65, will act to open switch 67 and thus as the stripper finger 48 is about to engage the end of the channel units of the formed batch, motor 16 is stopped by interruption of its feed circuit, although the stripper continues in the present example, to operate, as do the forming rolls. It will appear, however, that as soon as the finger 48 clears the slot 43, hence has completely stripped the batch of formed channels from the magazine, the cam flange arrangement on the chain will have cleared the roller 65, permitting switch 67 again to close under the effect of spring 68, thus permitting the feed of the blanks to be resumed through reenergizat ion of motor 16 controlling the feed belt. Applicant hereby reserves the right to constitute the stripping mechanism and the automatic control thereof as the subject of a separate copending application, pending development of further minor refinements of this assembly, which, however, in the form illustrated, is completely and satisfactorily operative.

With particular reference to the minor modification shown by Fig. 5, such structure involves a pair of relatively incompressible rolls or male die members of continuous operative connection, one of which is indicated at 70 and the other at 71. Between these relatively incompressible rolls operates an endless belt generally indicated at 72 and which may operate over spaced idler or powered rollers (not shown). The band or belt 72, similar to the continuous band 32, will operate in a definite orbital path and while member 32 operates in a circular orbit, the orbit of the traveling band or belt 72 will be of an elongate character but nonetheless a closed fixed path. The element 72 may consist of a flexible metal backing or band particularly designated at 73 to the opposite surfaces of which are bonded a compressible stock, a lower layer of which is indicated at 74 and an upper layer at 75. These may consist-of a cellular or other rubber or plastic stock, the stock constituting the sleeve or band 32 being of a generally similar character. The arrangement of Fig. 5 likewise illustrates .the .facility for concurrent formation of two or other even'plurality of the metal blanks, since there are provided two forming zones or any multiple thereof. As shown by Fig. 5, one of these is above the midplane of the element 72 and the other therebelow, a pair of the blanks B being thus shown in a stage of partial shaping or formation. It will of course be understood that in a multiple arrangement for concurrent channel formation, a single roll such as the structure 32-33, may be employed between a pair of the relatively incompressible male forming rolls 70 and 71.

With particular reference to Fig. 8, this showing illustrates a somewhat modified arrangement of the forming members and their supporting means, of particular advantage under conditions wherein channel elements C of unusual length are to be formed, hence requiring a substantial length of forming roll and resilient band. The arrangement of journalsrand driving elements applicable to the forming elements of Fig. 8, are or may be substantially the same as in the structure of Fig. 4, hence requires no further description. The distinguishing feature of this modified arrangement is in the location of the resilient band such as 85 on a solid shaft 86 of substantial diameter, and in a position below, rather than above the companion, cooperating incompressible male die or roll indicated in Fig. 8 at 87. The roll 87 may consist of a suitable grade of steel shafting of surfacehardened character, or of a suitable alloy to present the requisite rigidity and hardness. Such adjunctive equipment as the magazine and the like, may be essentially the same as in the foregoing structure, except as to relative physical arrangement and location in assembly. In this last modified structure, one advantage when embodied in the longer rolls, lies in the facility for supporting the rotating masses 85-86 on auxiliary supporting rollers such as 88 and 89, any suitable plurality of such pairs of rolls, according to length of the forming members, being provided. An unusually extended shafting is thus assured against intermediate deflection or sag, due to the intermediate support provided by the supporting rollers. Since the resilient forming band, in this case a long roller, is located immediately beneath the hard roll 87, the latter roll will receive plenary intermediate support, and will be assured against sagging effects. The operation of the arrangement of Fig. 8 is or may be essentially as above described in reference to the structures of Figs. 4 and 5. g 7

Certain of the operative aspects of the improvements and the method identified therewith, have been briefly heretofore touched upon in order to make more meaningful the structure thus far described. However, for sake of further completeness of understanding of operation, it may be noted that, in the forming zone blanks B of the present disclosure, when utilized to form a conduit element, are presented by the feed belt 10, in a direction which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the formed article. Upon delivery of the blank to the forming zone, whether between members 32 and 30, or 70 and 74, the blank is given a curve or curl during the time that it is frictionally gripped between the hard roll and the soft band. The extent of this curvature, or otherwise expressed, the radius of curvature of final formation may approach that of the roll 30, but is usually somewhat in excess of the curve of the roll. This is due to the fact that, in the cases of nearly all sheet steel or strip stock or blanks, the metal exhibits a certain elasticity or rebound upon emergence from the forming zone proper. The extent of this reactive effect is determined by the pressure imparted to the forming zone, such pressure being partly a function of the resilience of the material in the forming band 32, and partly a function of another component of forming pressure, namely that imparted through the adjustment 37, 38 and the springs 36. As a general rule it has been determined that a greater rebound, hence a larger ultimate radius of formation, results with lesser pressures upon the stock in the forming zone, the converse being true when higher unit pressures are employed in formation. Advantage is taken of this fact to exercise a wide range of variation in extent of ultimate curvature. As a typical example, utilizing a hard or incompressible roll such as 30 of a diameter of 2", the variation of forming pressure will enable a variation in diameter of the formed channels, if same be assumed to be circular, of the order of 2%"10". It will thus appear that while the elements 32 and 30 or 71, for example, serve as continuously moving male and female forming dies, yet these elements do not necessarily serve to impress their exact configuration, shape or section on the formed article.

Still other variations are possible in the sectional shape and sectional area of the formed sheet units, it being importantly noted that the angular extent of the periphery of the formed section may be varied from a channel of a few degrees in extent, to a full 360 degrees or infact in excess of 'a full circular periphery in cases wherein there is desired to form a full tubular structure from the channel. Thus the angular range may be varied usefully between say or l0 degrees as a practical minimum to a transverse section of the order of a full circle plus whatever'lap stock maybe desired in the case'of seaming the channel to form thereof a fully tubular element. It may here be noted that the tubular element may be formed by abutting its margins, or by lapping same, and that either such joint may be completed by a line weld, or in thecase of alap. joint, by a line weld, spot weld, or fillet. No extended description of this closingprocess is deemed necessary since a conventional welding step and equipment may be employed.

Briefly to review the course of the stock into and through the several stages of feeding formation, batching and stripping, it may benoted that the blanks of flat sheet metal-of predetermined gauge are disposed one at a-time, but usuallycontiguously or with a moderate edge spacing, upon the uppermost'horizontal area of the feed conveyor belt 10. They are thus first carried horizontally toward, then downwardly into the feeding zone which may be regarded as that region immediately ahead of the zone of actual compressive indentation of the resilient band, by the hard roll. From the feeding zone, the blank, now moving into the forming region proper, is frictionally gripped between the'male and. female forming elements, and in the course of forming receives the curvature predetermined according to the pressure which is the resultant of the components above described.

As the first channel-formed blank issues from the forming zone, its leading edge will first engage the inner surface of the section 41A of the part-cylindrical magazine or receiver. The direction of curl, and the inner curvature of section 41A (Fig. 4) are such that this leading edge will be deflected in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 4) until the leading edge abuts the valley between flange 40A and the body of element 40. At this point the first-formed blankis arrested in its motion about the axis of the roll 30.

Itstrailing edge will, however, due to rebound,-clear the adjacent portion of roll '30, so that the ensuing channel element C will be directed between its predecessor and the roll, the same being true of successively formed channels until there are accumulated in closely'nestedrelation'the predetermined 'plu'ra l'ity to constitute a batch, for eX- ample, and 'accordir'ig'to gauge, a plurality of five to twelve 'or m'ore su'ch' formed units. When these units are unloaded from the magazine '41, 41A,'and stripped'froi'n the hard "roll,'tli'ey maybe banded and thus stored or shipped as a compactri'gid unit constituting as a batch, a'manipulable article-of manufacture andcommerce.

Proceeding-now to'a description of theunloading or stripping action, itwill have appeared that, assumingeither a contiguous (-iue. edge-to-edge) relation of the blanks on the feed belt-1 0, or a pred'etermined-spaced relation thereof, the number ofblanks B'for'med, will be afunction of the extent of travel of the feed belt 10, and also a function of the number of revolutions of theforming members, such for' example, as 30 and 32. Since the forming members 'are driven by motor 55, the stripper chain 47 will also be driven'in timed relation thereto. This occurs through the timed driving relation existing between motor 55, pulley-57, belt 53,-and through unit RGU,-which is directly connected through shaft 59 to one of the sprockets such 'as 45 or 46 over both of which are entrained the stripper chain 47. The reduction gear unit RGU is. provided with a manual ratio control and is preferably of infinitely variable ratio the details of which are known and hence need not be fully described. The ratio through i the 'unit'RGU is controlled by a control lever 82 which is.positionable selectively along a series of graduations 83 on the case of the reducer. Through this means, specifically by selection of the position of the cont'rollever 82, the number of units formed prior to unloading or *8 stripping, is predetermined by'the setting of lever 82.

It will be understood thatin Fig.6, the rigid stripper arm or finger "48 approaches a vertical position when on the uppermost pass of chain 47, and is shown as closely approaching entrance'to the slot 43'of the magazine 41, 41A. As soon as such finger reachesthe vertical position, it will abuttingly engage the end margins of the now nested and formed units C, whereupon due to the travel of the chain to the right (Fig. 6) continued movement of the finger will move the batch of formed units axially along the magazine and finallyto a position clear of the roller 30. Thebatch may now be suitably banded or tied as above noted, arid further moved to a situs of Welding if desired, or to transportation or storage, as by a gravity or other conveyor (not shown).

It will of course now be obvious that the provision of a magazine such as 41--'41A, the provision of a feed belt 10, and stripping or unloading means as described, may optionally be made in any of the modified forms, such as Fig. 5 or Fig. 8, only such minor changes being necessary as will be obvious to any one making use of the modified arrangements.

Although the invention has been described by specific reference to a selected embodiment and certain modifications, the detail of description should be understood solely in an informative, rather'than in any restrictive sense, numerous variants being possible within the full intended scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device for forming sheet metal channel elements, a roll member of a relatively incompressible "material, characterizedby a sectional shape conforming generally to the section of channel element to be formed, a relatively yieldable endless band member operable adjacent the roll and so located as to be continuously depressed thereby and to be dished in the depressed region, substantially conformably to'the shape of the currently adjacent part of the roll member, means including the band member and roll, for feeding a fiat sheet metal stock through a forming zone between said members, a retainer around the roll member for receiving a plurality of the formed channel elements, and means operable in timed relation to the feeding means, for periodically removing the formed channel elements from the retainer.

2. In a device for the continuous formation of sheet metal channel elements from a series of flat metal blanks, a roll member of a relatively incompressible material characterized bya sectional shape conforming substantially to the section of the channel element to be formed, a relatively highly compressible endless band member operable adjacent the roll and located for compressive indentation thereby, means for so impelling the roll and band member that the direction of advance of said endless band member is transverse to the axis of the resulting channel element, a holder for formed channel elements embracing the roll member in spaced substantially concentric relation, a linear 'stop within the holder, and parallel to the roll member, and means acting in response to the feeding of a predetermined number of forming blanks, for removing the formed channel elements from said holder.

3. In a device for forming fiat metal blanks into sheet metal channel elements, an endless band of highly compressible character, a pair of incompressible forming rolls operatively located adjacent said band, and so that each forming roll acts compressively to engage and indent opposite surface portions of the band, said band being operable between the'said forming rolls, means for continuously advanci'rig a se'ries of sheet metal blanks to the zones oferig'agernent'of the compressible band'and forming rolls, and meansforretai'ning until completion of forming,'a plurality of formed channel elements in a zone about said rolls "prior to removal of a plurality of the formed channerelements from such zone of tentative deposit.

4. In a channel forming device, a pair of adjacent cooperating forming elements, means for operating said ele ments in timed relation, one of said elements being of a substantially greater compressive resilience than the other said element, the elements being so related that the last said element operates to produce a continuous compressive indentation of the first said element, means for feeding a series of metal blanks between said elements, and means enabling adjustment of the degree of compressive indentation of the first by the second said element whereby to vary, within limits, the sectional shape of the formed sheet metal member incident to its passage between said elements, a magazine for the formed channel elements, formed and located substantially coaxially with the less resilient forming element, and spaced outwardly thereof, and means timed to the feed means, for removing the formed channel elements from the magazine.

5. In a device for forming sheet metal channel elements, a pair of roll members each of a relatively incompressible material and each characterized by a seetional shape conforming generally to the shapes or sections of channel elements to be formed, a relatively compressible endless band member operable between the said roll members, and so located with respect thereto that opposite surface portions thereof are compressively indented by the roll members, and means including the end less band member for feeding sheet metal blanks through forming zones between said roll members and said compressible endless band.

6. In a device for forming sheet metal channel elements of a flat sheet metal stock, a pair of relatively rigid and imcompressible forming rolls, a relatively more compressible endless band member operable between the rolls and located for compressive indentation by said rolls on opposite surface portions of said band member, a fixed I hollow retention element extending at least partially about the periphery of each said roll member but spaced from the surface thereof, whereby to receive a formed channel member after issuance thereof from a forming zone, means providing an edge abutment extended lengthwise of each retention element, and adapted for engagement by the formed channel element for the retention thereof in a zone about the rolls.

7. In a device for forming sheet metal channel elements of a flat sheet metal stock, a relatively rigid and incompressibel forming roll, a relatively more compressible endless band member operable adjacent the roll, and located for compressive indentation thereby, a fixed hollow retention channel extending at least partially about the periphery of the first said roll member but spaced from the surface thereof, whereby to receive a formed channel member after issuance thereof from a forming zone, means providing an edge abutment extended lengthwise of the retention element, and adapted for engagement by the formed channel element for the retention thereof for a predetermined time in a zone about the roll, and means acting in response to the feeding of a predetermined number of forming blanks, for automatically unloading said retention channel.

8. In a metal channel forming device, a pair of juxtaposed relatively hard and soft traveling forming members, the former of which is so located as to operate compressively to indent the softer member, means for advancing a metal stock for formation, in a direction transverse to the axis of the channel of the formed element, through a forming zone between the said hard and soft forming members, means for retaining a number of the formed channel elements in a partly embracing relation to one of the forming members, and means, operating in timed relation to the first said means, for displacing a plurality of the formed channel members as a batch, in a direction axially of the retention channel, said displacing means acting in a direction along the produced axes of the formed channel elements.

9. In a device for forming a channel of sheet metal, an endless yieldable band element, means supporting the band element for movement in a closed path, an adjacent forming element operable concurrently with the band, and to a substantial area of which the band bears an overrunning relation, and power means operatively connected in driving relation to one of said elements, means for supporting a number of formed channels about the forming element after issuance from a forming zone between the band element and said forming element, means acting to feed preformed units to the forming element, and means timed to the feed means, for periodically removing a batch of the formed channels.

10. In a device for forming a conduit of sheet metal, an endless, yieldable, band element movable in a closed path, an adjacent rotary forming element so bearing upon the band element as to result in a running depression of the band element, means for concurrently actuating said elements, means for feeding a sheet metal stock into the region of running depression of the band element, whereby the rotary forming element constitutes a continuously operable male forming die, and the band element a comparably moving and coacting female forming die, a retainer enclosing the greater part of the rotary forming element, and serving as a receiver for the formed conduits, a stop member within the retainer, located to limit the extent of advance of the formed conduits into the retainer, and means acting in response to the feeding of the predetermined number of forming blanks, for automatically unloading said retainer.

11. In an assembly for forming elongate channel elements from a sheet metal stock, a relatively hard forming roll a relatively soft endless forming element compressively engaged by the roll, means for rotating the forming roll and element, an elongate enclosure about said roll, a traveling band having a projection thereon, the band and projection adapted to operate in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the roll whereby the projection is movable along the roll to clear the formed channel elements from the enclosure therefor, and means for operating the endless band and projection, in timed relation to the roll and forming element.

12. In an assembly for forming elongate channel elements from a sheet metal stock, a relatively hard forming roll, a relatively soft endless forming element compressively engaged by the roll, means for rotating the forming roll and element, a feeding device for the metal stock operable coordinately with the rotating means, an elongate enclosure coaxially surrounding but spaced from said roll, provided with a longitudinal port, a traveling band having a projection thereon constituting a stripper member, operating along said port and extending therethrough close to the roll, the band and projection adapted to operate in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the roll whereby the projection is movable along the roll to clear the formed channel elements from the enclosure therefor, and means for operating the endless band and projection at a reduced rate, in timed relation to the feeding device as well as the roll and forming element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 14,049 Brady Jan. 8, 1856 572,830 Richardson Dec. 8, 1896 1,126,982 Goss Feb. 2, 1915 1,745,539 Hume Feb. 4, 1930 2,197,906 Tucker Apr. 23, 1940 2,454,282 Johnson Nov. 23, 1948 2,466,653 Cogan Apr. 5, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 118,896 Great Britain Sept 19, 1918 

